Arta Jessie Phillips, 83, rural Wabash, died at 4:10 a.m., Sunday, April 20, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 24, 1931 in Akron, to Galen and Clarissia (Barber) Walker.

Arta was a 1949 graduate of Laketon High School and attended International Business College, Fort Wayne. She married Lawrence G. "Larry" Phillips in Chili, on Sept. 20, 1954. He died May 27, 2008. She worked for Atlas Industries, retiring June 30, 1993. She was a very active member of the Wabash Friends Church. She enjoyed her family and friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Sue (Daniel) Rapp, and two granddaughters, Alecia Danielle Rapp and Heather Nicole Rapp, all of Wabash. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lawrence G. Phillips, and brother, Merl Walker.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 24, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with David Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Roann Community Cemetery, Roann. Friends may call from 9-11 a.m., Thursday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Wabash Friends Church.

The memorial guest book for Arta may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.